44 first-year students join Nebraska Business Honors Academy

Forty-four incoming first-year students have been selected to join the Nebraska Business Honors Academy at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln this fall. Comprising the academy’s 13th cohort, the students hail from nine U.S. states and eight Nebraska communities.

“These exceptional students represent the future of business,” said Kathy Farrell, James Jr. and Susan Stuart Endowed Dean and professor of finance. “Through the Nebraska Business Honors Academy, they will sharpen their skills and grow into the kind of leaders our world needs: curious, collaborative and ready to make a difference.”

The incoming cohort plans to study in nine academic majors within the College of Business. The students will complete much of their core and foundation business curriculum together, using an action-based learning approach focused on the development of critical thinking, technical and communication skills.

The program also emphasizes real-world learning through leadership activities, national competitions, internships and global study opportunities. Academy students are currently completing paid internships in 10 states and two countries. Since January, nearly a third of current academy students have studied abroad, in seven countries.

Academy alumni — now totaling nine graduating cohorts — have launched careers or pursued graduate education in 35 states and five countries. About 25% enrolled directly in a graduate or professional degree program.

On campus, academy students participate in more than 150 student organizations and serve in key leadership roles.

“Cohort 13 is such an exciting addition to the academy,” said Erin Burnette, director of the academy. “They are coming in with outstanding leadership experiences in their home communities and will undoubtedly bring that energy to Lincoln as they transition to campus this fall. Our team is really looking forward to working with this dynamic group and can’t wait to help them learn, grow and develop over these next four years.” 

The following students will join the fall 2025 cohort of the Nebraska Business Honors Academy. The student’s high school is included in parentheses if it differs from the hometown.

Nebraska

Cortland:

• Nicholas Boon, business administration (Norris) 

Elkhorn:

• Ridley Austin, business and law (Millard West)
• Davis Eickman, finance (Elkhorn South)
• Kelly Knutson, business administration (Elkhorn)
• Ben Marquis, finance (Creighton Prep)
• Mason Newman, international business (Elkhorn South) 

Gretna:

• Kinsley McMahon, international business 

Lincoln:

• Trevin Anderson, actuarial science (Lincoln Northeast)
• Brooks Brummond, business analytics (Lincoln East)
• Jackson Figard, business administration (Lincoln Southeast)
• Easton Gubbels, accounting (Pius X)
• Jacob Lester, marketing (Lincoln Northwest)
• Ronin Millwood, accounting (Lincoln Southwest)
• Morgan Sobotka, finance (Norris)
• Jack Soukup, economics (Lincoln East)
• Jonathan Thompson, accounting (Lincoln Christian) 

Milford:

• Kellen Kubicek, actuarial science 

Omaha:

• Gabby Birkel, business administration (Marian)
• Shane Borman, accounting (Creighton Prep)
• Tyler Devereaux, economics (Elkhorn South)
• Jeevan James, actuarial science (Omaha Christian)
• Addie McGee, accounting (Elkhorn South)
• Jack Moore, business analytics (Creighton Prep)
• Julie Ottens, business and law (Westview)
• Harrison Ryba, actuarial science (Millard North)
• Peter Rygg, finance (Elkhorn South)
• Joe Simon, finance (Westside)
• Bethany Taylor, actuarial science (Skutt Catholic)
• Emma Welsch, business and law (Mercy) 

Rockville:

• Hope McDonald, marketing (Centura) 

Scottsbluff:

• Maci Dorshorst, accounting 

Elsewhere

Evanston, Illinois:

• Noah Weszely, marketing (Evanston Township) 

Geneva, Illinois:

• Elle Miller, marketing (Geneva Community) 

Plainfield, Illinois:

• Ryan O’Connor, finance (Plainfield North) 

Norwalk, Iowa:

• Allie Soukup, actuarial science 

Overland Park, Kansas:

• Alexandria Tan, finance (Blue Valley West) 

Roeland Park, Kansas:

• Carter Smith, economics (Shawnee Mission East) 

Minnetonka, Minnesota:

• Evan Cummings, international business 

New York, New York:

• Olivia Lovci, international business (West End Secondary) 

Sioux Falls, South Dakota:

• Harold Mayer, actuarial science (Washington) 

Roanoke, Texas:

• Emma Pinney, business administration (Byron Nelson) 

Muskego, Wisconsin:

• Jenna Goelz, business administration (Wisconsin Lutheran) 

Watertown, Wisconsin:

• Megan Doherty, business analytics 

Waunakee, Wisconsin:

• Peter Wangerin, actuarial science